ECB camera shy over World Cup Panaeye deal (6 April 1999)

6 April 1999

ECB camera shy over World Cup Panaeye deal

Trevor Chesterfield

PRETORIA (South Africa) - Bill Burrow is not fuming just yet but he not too happy either with the news that a British firm has all but "hijacked" plans made by the Pretoria electronics company to install the fixed line camera system for the World Cup in England.

Burrow learnt late last week that the England and Wales Cricket Board had agreed to a deal worth about (pounds) 200 000 with a United Kingdom-based rival who have "muscled in" after the ECB's World Cup organising committee had turned down two proposals by Avpro 2000 to provide the system known in South Africa as the "Panaeye" (or "Flicks") as being too costly.

This came after almost two years of discussions and faxes with the International Cricket Council and in recent months the ECB, who at first suggested that FLCS would not provide "practical use" in the World Cup from May 14 to June 20.

The ECB claimed cost factors, estimated at between R5-million and R6-million would be too much and there were no funds available for using the system designed, built and pioneered by the Pretoria company. In a re-evaluation Burrow suggested using two FLCS cameras in the preliminary rounds and four in the Super Six, and semi-finals. This was also rejected by the ECB as being too expensive.

The UK proposed package, which involves the use of four line cameras at the 42 matches and the cameras will then belong to the ground authority. The Pretoria firm owns the South African patent but not a world wide patent which it hopes to have later this year.

Burrow yesterday confirmed his company was to supply part of their equipment to help the installation and without which the FLCS ("Flicks") would not work.

The British company which is to install and oversee the running of FLCS during the World Cup, Macom, had installed "Flicks" at Lord's last year.

What is surprising is that after stalling over the issue for some time and telling Burrow costs factors were not feasible the ECB does an about turn using a UK company, which apart from Lord's has had little knowledge in the installation.

First used during the Mandela Trophy series in the 1994/95 season the FLCS has been regarded as a major innovation in deciding on run outs and stumpings.

Burrow's concern earlier this year came after the Australian system of using two mid-wicket cameras were found to blur the run out of Michael Slater, whose century went on to cost England levelling the Ashes series in Australia 2-2. They lost 3-1. Criticism of line decisions in Australia and New Zealand in test and limited-overs internationals led Burrow to faxing the ECB with new proposals in late January. But these too were turned down.

Now the ECB are seeking a sponsor in England after initially saying the idea was too costly. The system has been used in South Africa in recent years and involves the placing of four fixed cameras level with the stumps at either end of the wicket, meaning line decisions are easier to make. It will be used in conjunction with cameras provided by the UK server.

The World Cup organising committee manager, Michael Browning said: "The introduction of the system, coupled with an increase in host broadcaster camera numbers, will enable us to deliver `best practice' pictures and ensure accuracy in the making of line decisions."

"It has always been our intention to use the system if it could be done in a cost-effective way," said Browning.

Source :: Trevor Chesterfield, Pretoria News